The Nigerian Army College of Nursing, based in Yaba, Lagos, and often referred to by its acronym NACON, is a nursing training institution operated under the Nigerian Army Medical Corps. It is recognised by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and trains both military-sponsored and civilian candidates for careers in nursing. For anyone planning to apply for the 2026/2027 academic session, one of the most important things to understand before starting the admission process is the Nigerian army college of nursing school fees structure, since the total amount payable depends on the specific programme, the student’s level, and whether the candidate is a fresh or returning student.
About the Nigerian Army College of Nursing
The college was formerly known as the Nigerian Army School of Nursing before its upgrade to college status, and it now runs the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) Nursing programmes, alongside Post-Basic Midwifery and other specialised nursing courses. Because it operates under a military medical structure, the institution combines standard nursing education with a disciplined, structured campus environment. Graduates go on to work in both military healthcare facilities and civilian hospitals, since NMCN accreditation qualifies them to practise as registered nurses anywhere in Nigeria.
Applicants often assume that a military-affiliated institution automatically means significantly higher or significantly lower charges than other government-owned colleges of nursing. In practice, the fee structure at NACON sits closer to what is charged at other federal and state nursing colleges once tuition, registration, and examination costs are combined, though the exact figure for a given session depends on the programme and level of entry.
Admission Requirements Before Fees Apply
Before any acceptance fee or tuition payment becomes relevant, an applicant must first meet the entry requirements for the ND Nursing programme:
- A minimum of five O’Level credit passes in core subjects, including English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, from WAEC, NECO, or an equivalent examination body.
- A JAMB UTME registration, since admission into the ND/HND Nursing programme requires sitting the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
- A minimum UTME score that meets the college’s cut-off mark for the applicable session. The general JAMB minimum entry threshold for nursing programmes nationwide sits around 130, but the specific cut-off used by the college for actual admission into NACON is typically set higher, closer to 160, once competition for available slots is factored in.
- An age requirement, generally falling between 17 and 25 years at the point of application.
- Successful completion of a written entrance examination and an oral interview, since the college conducts its own additional screening after JAMB registration is confirmed.
Only candidates who satisfy all of these conditions proceed to the stage where acceptance and tuition fees become payable.
Breakdown of the Total School Fees
The total cost of studying at the Nigerian Army College of Nursing accumulates across several distinct charges rather than arriving as one lump sum. The typical components include:
- Screening/admission form fee – a modest charge paid when purchasing or completing the application form during the admission cycle.
- Acceptance fee – commonly reported at around ₦20,000, paid once a candidate has been offered a slot, to confirm and secure the admission.
- Tuition fee – the core academic charge for the session, which varies depending on the specific programme (ND/HND Nursing, Basic Nursing, or Post-Basic Midwifery) and the student’s level of study.
- Registration, ICT, and examination fees – smaller charges bundled with tuition to cover course registration, computer-based testing infrastructure, and semester examinations.
- Accommodation charges – billed separately for students who take up hostel space, since not every student is guaranteed automatic accommodation.
- Uniform and clinical kit costs – nursing students are required to purchase uniforms and basic clinical practical materials, usually billed apart from tuition.
Reported figures for tuition at NACON vary noticeably depending on the programme and the source of information, with some estimates placing new-student fees in a lower band closer to ₦60,000–₦120,000 per session for the standard ND/HND Nursing programme, and other estimates citing a considerably higher combined figure once every charge for a session is added together for fresh students. This spread reflects both genuine differences between programmes (Post-Basic Midwifery, for instance, tends to cost more per session than the standard ND/HND Nursing track) and the fact that fee schedules are reviewed by the college’s management from one academic session to the next. Because of this, any single number should be treated as an estimate for budgeting purposes rather than the definitive figure for the session an applicant intends to apply for.
Fee Comparison Across Programmes
The table below summarises the general fee pattern across the different programmes run by the college, based on the typical structure reported for recent admission cycles. Figures are approximate and intended to show the relative cost difference between programmes rather than an exact, current schedule.
| Programme | Student Level | Approximate Fee Range (per session) |
|---|---|---|
| ND/HND Nursing | Fresh (100 Level) | ₦60,000 – ₦120,000 |
| ND/HND Nursing | Returning students | ₦60,000 – ₦100,000 |
| Post-Basic Midwifery | All levels | ₦90,000 – ₦120,000 |
| Acceptance fee | One-time, on admission | Approximately ₦20,000 |
The gap between the lower and upper ends of each range generally reflects whether registration, ICT, and examination charges are counted as part of tuition or listed separately, so applicants should ask for an itemised breakdown rather than relying on a single headline figure.
Why the Figures Differ So Much
A student researching the Nigerian army college of nursing fees will notice that different sources quote very different totals, sometimes differing by hundreds of thousands of naira for what looks like the same academic session. This happens for a few practical reasons. Government and military-affiliated institutions review their fee schedules periodically, so a figure that was accurate for one session can become outdated by the next. Some quoted figures also bundle in optional costs, such as accommodation, feeding, or clinical uniform purchases, while others reflect tuition alone. Finally, because admission cycles are announced and then sometimes revised, unofficial estimates circulating before an official notice is released do not always match what the college eventually confirms. The most reliable approach is to treat any figure as a planning estimate and confirm the exact, current amount directly from the college before making a payment.
How to Confirm the Exact, Current Fees
To avoid relying on outdated or inconsistent figures, applicants should follow a simple verification process:
- Check the official NACON admission notice or portal for the specific academic session being applied for, since fee schedules are usually published alongside the admission announcement.
- Contact the college’s admissions or bursary office directly to request a written fee breakdown before making any payment.
- Confirm whether the amount quoted covers tuition alone or includes registration, ICT, and examination charges.
- Pay only through the official channel specified by the college, whether that is a designated bank account or an online portal, and avoid unofficial agents who claim to guarantee admission for a fee.
- Keep every payment receipt or transaction reference until admission and registration are fully completed.
What the Fees Typically Cover
Because nursing is a practical, clinically demanding course of study, the money collected as part of the school fees generally supports more than classroom lectures. Students should expect their payments to fund theoretical instruction, laboratory practicals, supervised clinical postings in military and civilian hospital facilities, computer-based examination infrastructure, and, where applicable, hostel accommodation. Given that NMCN accreditation requires a specific number of supervised clinical hours before a student can qualify as a registered nurse, part of what is billed under tuition is tied to arranging and monitoring these hospital placements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Nigerian Army College of Nursing open to civilian applicants? Yes. While the institution operates under the Nigerian Army Medical Corps, it admits both military-sponsored and civilian students into its nursing programmes.
What is the acceptance fee for new students? The acceptance fee, paid once an applicant has been offered admission, is commonly reported at around ₦20,000, separate from tuition.
Is JAMB compulsory for admission? Yes. Candidates must register for and sit the JAMB UTME, and meet the college’s minimum cut-off mark for the applicable session, in addition to the standard O’Level requirements.
Why do fee estimates for the college differ so widely online? Different sources quote figures from different admission cycles, and some totals bundle in accommodation or clinical materials while others reflect tuition alone, which explains the wide range seen when comparing multiple estimates.
Where can I get the exact, updated fee schedule? Directly from the college’s official admission notice or its admissions and bursary office for the specific session being applied for, since fee schedules are reviewed periodically and unofficial estimates can be inconsistent.